Per Mertesacker is entrusted with the job of collecting fines from Arsenal players in breach of club discipline but the German may find himself going cap in hand to manager Arsene Wenger for his place in the team.

Nick Evans ended speculation about his future today as he signed a three-year contract with Harlequins after turning down offers from France and Japan, writes Chris Jones.

It means the 32-year-old fly-half will almost certainly finish his career with the current Aviva Premiership champions at the end of the 2015-16 season.

Evans joined Harlequins in 2008 from Otago and has since made 106 first team appearances for the club during which he has scored 1,184 points including 16 tries.

The All Blacks fly-half went on Twitter to say: “Thank you for the support and great messages, nothing better than playing with a bunch of bloody good b******s with the best supporters!!!”

Earlier, the club had released a statement in which Evans summed up his joy in more conventional terms. He said: “There is no limit to what this team can achieve and I am excited to have an influence both on and off the field.

“My decision was made easy by the ambition of this great club, the success we’ve had and the hunger to want more. The support I’ve had from the supporters has been amazing and I’ll do my best to help the club stay one of the major forces in English and European rugby.

“Myself and my family are happy to have the opportunity to stay at Harlequins. I’m looking forward to continuing to play with a great bunch of lads and to working with a special coaching staff.”

Evans made his Test debut against England in 2004 and went on win 16 caps, representing New Zealand in the 2007 World Cup, and was voted The Rugby Players’ Association Player of the Season last season.

“There is not a player, supporter or coach in the game in England, let alone Harlequins, who will not be delighted that Nick Evans has agreed to stay with us for another three years,” said Conor O’Shea, Quins director of rugby. “The Aviva Premiership wants the best players playing in it and Nick is one of the very best.”